Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-16
AB0LIsHING CHINATOWN.

1t has been pointed out in the RECORD
UNION how we can rid ourselves of China
town. 1t appears to be feasible plan,
and at least ought to have fair con-
sideratiou. The need is imperative that
Chinatown be removed. The rear view of
the quarter presents to the stranger
as he enters the city by rail. 1t is a spec
tacle of tumble-down rookeries, dilapidated
sheds, filth, slime, rubbish, propped-up
houses ard general offensiveness. To buy
the property out of hand is not to be
thought of, for the price would be uncon-
scfonable. But there is a method OF
wiping out the quarter without enormous
COST indeed, the sum it would involve
will be fully compensated for by the bene-
fits to accrue.
Under the fifth subdivision of the sec
ond section of Article / of the Charter,
the Trustees have the power to repair,
widen and improve streets, and under the
tenth subdivision power to provide neces-
sary public Buildings, parks or squares, etc.
The widening or improving of street is
done under the general State law, only
when it is to be paid for by special assess
ment upon the property adjacent. Under
the Constitution the city may make and
enforce local, police, sanitary and other
regulations not in conflict with general
laws. Under the Political Code Section
1872, the city may invoke the power of
eminent domain and take private property
for the purpose of laying out or altering
streets or alleys"
Now let the city declare it to be neces-
sary for public health, for commerce. for
public convenience, for the uses of the city,
to locate and maintain a boulevard, park
or open space between i and II streets,
Third and Sixth streets. Let the PROPOSE
ton be submitted to the people to issue
certificates of indebtedness or bonds in,
say, the sum of $4,000, payable at the end
of a long term, for the purpose of pur-
chasing said ''open" or park. If the price
cannot be agreed upon, let the power of
condemnation be exercised, and commits
sion, under order of Court, will fix fair
and reasonable price. Declare I street to
be widened from its north line, between
Third and Sixth streets, to the width of
100 additional feet northwardly.
The sum suggested will pay for the
property well, and for its clearance. Once
opened, the lots on the north of the "park"
or boulevard, having a double frontage,
would become greatly more valuable, and
be speedily filled. The lots on the south
of street would become too valuable for
occupancy by Chinese. The park or open
would need only to be cleaned up and
fenced-grassed, perhaps. 1t would be an
excellent place for a general public
market, which all cities should have,
and the improvement would GER
tainly result in the ultimate filling of
the ground. The locality would be the
very DeSt pOSSlDlc lor Il new CITY hall,
when the people determine to erect it, as
they some time must. Even if the lots
should not be filled in at once, Chinatown
removed, the waters of the slough could be
made inofiensive.
The cost involved is not out of proper
ton to the benefits to be derived; indeed,
since the credit Of the city is so good that
its evidences of Indebtedness approach par
in the market, it would be wise invest
lneut to place the payment for the park
upon the future, while the assumption of
the interest would be but trife per an
mum compared to the inestimable benefits
to accrue from blotting out the heart of
Chinatown, and which is daily and hourly
injury to the city and all interests in it.
The Improvement once made, would, we
doubt not, work the displacement in fair
time of so much of Chinatown as would re-
main below Third street, since the prop
erty would be more valuable for other
purposes, and the enforcement of proper
sanitary regulations would render it unde-
sirable by its present tenancy.